You are here

A Look Back at the Career of James Schlesinger

March 28, 2014 - 9:57am

Addthis

1 of 9

James Schlesinger and President and Mrs. Nixon Tour Hanford

Before becoming the first U.S. Secretary of Energy, James Schlesinger served as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, where he helped lead a major reorganization of the agency and its functions –- previewing his role at the Department of Energy. In this picture he is visiting the Hanford nuclear site in Washington state with President and Mrs. Nixon. | Energy Department photo.

2 of 9

Secretary Schlesinger (center) with Shields & Stafford Warren

This picture was taken in 1971. | Energy Department Photo.

3 of 9

Schlesinger Swearing In Ceremony

After serving as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Secretary of Defense and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, James Schlesinger was appointed by President Carter as the first Secretary of Energy on August 5, 1977. | Energy Department photo.

4 of 9

President Carter and Secretary Schlesinger at Signing of Department of Energy Organization Act

In the midst of the energy crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Schlesinger was given the challenging task of unifying and reshaping multiple smaller energy agencies, field offices and research centers into one Cabinet-level agency. | Energy Department photo.

5 of 9

Schlesinger Unveils First Department of Energy Building

By bringing together federal energy activities under one umbrella, Schlesinger laid the framework for a comprehensive approach to energy policy. | Energy Department photo.

6 of 9

President Carter and Secretary Schlesinger at Oak Ridge National Lab

In the heart of the 1970s oil crisis, Schlesinger worked with President Carter’s staff to develop a series of serious energy conservation measures -- such as prohibiting the sale of gasoline on certain weekend hours and restricting thermostat settings for non-residential buildings. These methods, no longer in use today, illustrate the gravity of the oil crisis the nation faced. | Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

7 of 9

President Carter Inspects the New Department of Energy Seal

Photo from 1977.|Energy Department Photo.

8 of 9

Secretary Schlesinger Presenting the Enrico Fermi Award

Energy Department Photo.

9 of 9

Former Secretary Schlesinger at the 35th Anniversary of the Energy Department

James Schlesinger is remembered as the father of the Department of Energy. The highest award the Department gives to an employee is named in his honor: the Schlesinger award goes to an individual who makes contributions of national importance or affects significant improvements to the successful implementation of the Department's mission. | Energy Department photo.

Known as the "father of the Energy Department," Schlesinger was tasked by President Jimmy Carter with organizing various smaller agencies -- including 40 field offices and about 20,000 employees -- into the Energy Department that grew into what exists today.

Check out the gallery of photos above, from the Energy Department archives, to look back at Schlesinger's legacy and accomplishments.